Mafia Toolbox: Intimidation

How do some boxers win the fight before they even step into the ring? How do businessmen negotiate massive deals against tenacious competition? How do some people always end up getting what they want, no matter what? They might have superior skills, but more often than not, they use a tool that is just as important as ability: intimidation. As any professional athlete, politician, businessman, or gangster will tell you, winning the psychological battle is a major part of any showdown. That said, I’d like to once again open my toolbox and share with you some important ways to effectively intimidate the competition.

Have the upper hand

No babbo wants to be on the wrong end of an interrogation, so by firing off all the questions (one form of intimidation), you’ll gain the edge in any exchange. And the way you phrase your questions is also crucial. Say things like, “Do you think it’s wise to do it that way?” or “Are you sure about that?” By doing this, you’ll implant a useful nugget of doubt in the person’s mind and, even better, they’ll start to think that you know something they don’t.

Practice the stare-down

A well-executed stare-down can be used to your utmost advantage in many situations that call for intimidation. It lets your adversary know that you aren’t willing to budge, and it almost always initiates something that behavioral psychologists call a fight-or-flight response. If he locks in for the stare-down, you know you’ve got a terrier on your hands and a battle will ensue, but if he backs down from your gaze, you can safely assume that he finds you intimidating.

Be silent

Many people find complete silence unnerving, especially in situations that some form of communication is anticipated. If you sit down for a business meeting and remain mysteriously silent, your company may begin to assume that they’ve done something wrong and will even start to offer concessions. Watch them grasp for the middle ground while you calmly state your demands and get results (the art of subtle intimidation).

Show no emotion

If you’re known as a guy who flies off the handle at every mishap, a hostile reaction will mean very little to those around you. If you’re powerful enough to cause headaches, they’ll probably just get out of your way for a while and wait for you to cool down. But if you’re the stoic type who only loses his temper for a good reason, others will take note when you are seething. And this can be your trump card — something you can use to cause intimidation and pull out when things aren’t going your way. So really, whether you’re annoyed, extremely pissed or even pleased about something, it’s usually best to remain impassive and offer up your poker face.